National News

NRL star Walker stood down after charges

Dylan Walker's NRL career appears in limbo with the Manly star stood down from training after allegedly assaulting his partner on Sydney's Northern Beaches.

The woman, 24, suffered minor cuts to her shoulder, leg and feet at a home in Dee Why, on Thursday afternoon and was treated by paramedics at the scene.

Walker, also 24, was later arrested and charged with common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

The Sea Eagles centre was driven away from Manly Police Station by coach Des Hasler after being granted bail to appear at Manly Local Court on Tuesday.

Manly chief executive Lyall Gorman said the former Kangaroos representative and South Sydney premiership winner wouldn't be required for training until after his court appearance.

"He needs to clear his head. He's only been released from Manly police station through the night," Gorman said on Friday.

Gorman said his club's chief concern was the welfare of the alleged victim and a four-month-old child.

"I haven't been able to speak to Dylan personally. I have spoken to his partner on four occasions - twice last night and twice this morning - and been trying to make sure we look after her welfare and the welfare of the family and the young baby," he said.

"She's in good care with her mum and dad."

Gorman, who has also referred the matter to the NRL Integrity Unit, wouldn't speculate on any possible sanctions should Walker be found guilty.

"It's too early to say what the consequences of this are. Clearly, it's a very serious allegation," he said.

(But) it's too early for me to call whether he will be found guilty for a start and then any discussions around any sanction will be between us and the Integrity Unit."

But Gorman said his club was greatly disappointed to learn of the allegation.

"Allegations around domestic violence are of course are totally foreign to anything we stand for and our culture and values," he said.

"We all know they (the NRL) have incredibly strong views around domestic violence of any sort and particularly in relation to any females."

Off contract at the end of 2019, this is not the first time Walker has been in trouble.

Manly fined him $10,000 two years ago for punching his apartment door in an incident that forced the backline utility out of the game for a month with a hand injury.

Walker was also rushed to hospital in 2015 after he and former Rabbitohs teammate Aaron Gray overdosed on prescription drugs, leaving him "touch and go" for a while.

"Clearly there may some anger management issues or other welfare issues that Dylan really takes the time to address," said Gorman, adding that he didn't believe drugs or alcohol were factors in the latest incident.